Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Change has brought me outside of the classroom, yet still in the world of education. My "students" are now teachers themselves, and thus, until I once again have a classroom, the pages of this blog will remain blank...

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The end of the 2nd Trimester will be here as of next week. Be sure you are keeping up with in class work and make up activities, as thegrade book will close at the end of the day on Wednesday February 29th.

Activities and Objectives for the week of February 21st include:

Tuesday Feb 21st
Objective: To distinguish sedimentary rock samples from other rocks based on their characteristics
In class: Identify the sedimentary rocks and complete their descriptions. Practice the rock placemat with the sedimentary samples. Begin discussion on the rock cycle.
Homework: none
**Notebooks for 5th hour were turned in and corrected today.

Wednesday Feb 22nd
Objective: To distinguish metamorphic rock samples from other rocks based on their characteristics
In class: Identify the metamorphic rock samples and complete their descriptions. Complete the rock cycle discussion and diagram. Participate in the rock cycle "game
Homework: Complete your 1 paragraph description of your journey through the rock cycle. Be sure to include specific details such as locations where you might be found or the amount of time that you are spending at any one place in the cycle.
**Notebooks for 1st, 2nd, and 6th hour were turned in and corrected today.

Thursday and Friday February 23rd and 24thMCA Math testing...

Students will have two class hours to complete four levels of activities. They must complete each level before moving on.
Level 1 - Complete any missing work from the Rock unit.
Level 2 - Sort, define, and complete a word web using the rocks vocabulary terms
Level 3 - Revisit rock section questions, revising answers to each question based on new knowledge learned
Level 4 - Complete a "Wanted" poster for a chosen rock - Due Tuesday 02/28
Level 5 -Enrichment** Find a mineral/rock gravel exploration. Students are allowed to keep any rock or mineral that they can identify (up to 5 samples).

All students must complete the Level 4 activity-Rock "Wanted" poster, either in class or as HOMEWORK for Tuesday 2/28.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Announcement: Many of you may have heard rumors, and yes, they are true, I will be moving at the end of the 2nd trimester. My six years in North Branch have been a wonderful experience, and I thank each and every one of you for the ways in which you have impacted my life. I look back with fondness and look forward with excitement as I begin a new journey in a new place.

Friday:
Objective - to know the distinguishing characteristics of Sedimentary rocks
In Class - Sedimentary rocks notes, Sedimentary rocks video, Rock sample investigation
Homework Rocks Vocabulary Activity - Due Wednesday - Some questions are about Metamorphic rocks, which we will be studying in class on Tuesday - you can fill in those questions after we learn about them.

Wednesday:
Learning objective: Students should be able to explain the impact that mining has on land and the difficulties in making a profit when mining.
In Class: Cookie Mining activity
Homework: Summarize questions from lab for Thursday.

Thursday:
Learning objective: Apply what you have learned about the mineral samples in class to new "unknown" minerals. Explain the definition of a mineral. Describe how each of the properties of minerals is tested.
In Class: Team review game - Minerals
Homework: Study for Minerals Exam on Friday

Friday:
Learning Objective: Demonstrate thorough knowledge of minerals through successful completion of the mineral exam.
In Class: Minerals Exam
Homework: Find a (small) rock and bring to class on Tuesday.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

My apologies in not keeping up with the blog the past couple of weeks, as I have been away from my classroom for a variety of other job-related duties.

Activities etc. for the week of January 17th include:

Tuesday January 17th
In Class - Tessellations investigation - make three different tessellating shapes.
Click here for a cool web-based tessellation maker, a bit fancier than what we did in class.
Homework - Create a 3-dimensional version of one of the six crystal systems.
For an A you need to attempt either the hexagonal, triclinic, or monoclinic crystal shape
For a B you need to attempt either the tetragonal or orthorhombic crystal shape
For a C you need to attempt the cubic crystal.
Click here to see a sample of each of the crystal shapes.

Thursday January 19th
Middle school conferences are tonight and next Monday from 12-7. All students are scheduled to meet with their homeroom teacher for conferences.
In class - Mineral identification lab day 2
Science Notebooks collected for hours 1&2
Homework- None!

About Me

Science Instructional Coach. Educator to my last breath, it is not only what I do but who I am. Former dancer, former synchronized swimmer. Explorer of places and foods, lover of shoes and fashion. Dreaming about my someday home with a back yard where I can spend as much time outside as possible.